Bring the science of reading into your classroom with literacy programs and resources from MultiLit

Many teachers are now looking to incorporate the latest scientific research on how to most effectively teach reading into their professional practice, to get students off to a great start on their literacy journey.

Leading Australasian literacy provider, MultiLit, publishes a range of evidence-based literacy support and intervention programs for use by primary and secondary schools. As a research initiative of Macquarie University, MultiLit’s publications and associated professional development are continually informed by an ongoing program of research, led by Emeritus Professor Kevin Wheldall AM.

Established 25 years ago, MultiLit’s mission is to bring about major educational change so that far fewer children are left to struggle in school with inadequate reading and related skills, the skills essential for academic success in all areas.

The most recent addition to MultiLit’s suite of programs is InitiaLit, a three-year whole-class initial instruction program, for students from Foundation to Year 2. In the context of a Response to Intervention framework, InitiaLit is a Tier 1 program, and provides the essential core knowledge and strong foundations for students to become successful readers and writers. Since its release in 2017, InitiaLit has been implemented by more than 500 schools throughout Australia. 

In 2020, InitiaLit–Foundation, InitiaLit–1 and InitiaLit–2 were collectively Highly Commended in the category of Outstanding Primary Teaching Resource at the Educational Publishing Awards Australia (EPAA).

Supporting the InitiaLit program, but also useful with other systematic phonics programs, are the InitiaLit Readers, decodable texts to support effective reading instruction in the early years. MultiLit now has three series of 60 titles, specifically designed to provide students with ample opportunity to practise their developing blending and segmenting skills. Stories are fun and engaging with colourful illustrations. Each InitiaLit Reader includes additional opportunities to pre-teach vocabulary, enhance comprehension, and practise fluency skills.

For students who need extra help in progressing with learning to read, more intensive instruction in small groups may be necessary (via Tier 2 instruction).  Thousands of low-progress readers have been supported by the systematic and explicit instruction in our MiniLit and MacqLit intervention programs.

MiniLit is a small-group program for students in the bottom 25% of the expected range for their age group in Year 1 or 2. MacqLit is for older low-progress students, from Year 3 to upper secondary school years, and provides teachers with a comprehensive sequence of lessons that covers all the key components necessary for effective reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

MultiLit also offers Tier 3 programs for individualised instruction. All of our literacy programs are supported by comprehensive professional development workshops which cover an in-depth explanation of MultiLit’s approach to instruction, research supporting the programs, and implementation. The PD Workshops are accredited with the ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI).

For more information about how MultiLit’s suite of programs can assist you in helping your students on the path to reading success, visit multilit.com or email [email protected].

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SchoolNews - Australia